Policy Transfer in International Development: Whose Security in Central America?

Abstract

Citizen security policy in Central America provides an excellent case for examination of 'policy transfer.' Policy transfer, or the process by which knowledge about policies or programs in one place is used in another place, has been the subject of a considerable literature over the past few decades (Dolowitz & Marsh, 1996; Benson & Jordan, 2011; Evans & Barakat, 2012). The trend of transferring policy has only accelerated with increased regionalization and globalization. Understanding the role of policy transfer in international development is important for donors, program implementers, and researchers in order to capitalize on potential efficiencies and to avoid the pitfalls charted in its history.